Jim Thome doesn’t want Chief Wahoo cap on Hall of Fame plaque

Jim Thome will be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame this coming July after being voted in as a member of the 2018 class by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in his first year on the ballot.

If the longtime Cleveland Indians slugger had his druthers, though, he would prefer it if his Hall of Fame plaque in Cooperstown did not include the team’s Chief Wahoo cap. Instead, Thome would opt for Cleveland’s Block-C logo on his cap, although he has yet to bring up the issue with the powers-that-be at the Hall of Fame.

“I know my decision would be to wear the ‘C’ because I think it’s the right thing to do,” Thome said at a recent event, via Cleveland.com. “I think I need to have a conversation with the Hall of Fame because of all the history and everything involved. I just think that’s the right thing to do.”

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Monday that Cleveland Monday will cease using Chief Wahoo as a symbol in its team branding beginning in 2019.

“Major League Baseball is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the game,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement, via MLB.com. “Over the past year, we encouraged dialogue with the Indians organization about the club’s use of the Chief Wahoo logo. During our constructive conversations, [Indians owner] Paul Dolan made clear that there are fans who have a long-standing attachment to the logo and its place in the history of the team.

“Nonetheless, the club ultimately agreed with my position that the logo is no longer appropriate for on-field use in Major League Baseball, and I appreciate Mr. Dolan’s acknowledgement that removing it from the on-field uniform by the start of the 2019 season is the right course.”

It remains to be seen if the Hall honors Thome’s request. But as is the case with the Indians and Major League Baseball agreeing it was time to retire the Chief Wahoo symbol, it’s arguably the right thing to do.